BJP disowns Maneka’s letter to AIADMK boss

CHENNAI: AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa on Monday thanked Union minister Maneka Gandhi and actor Rajinikanth for their letters to her after she returned to Chennai from prison in Bangalore.
In her letter to Rajinikanth, Jayalalithaa thanked him for “the kind and gracious sentiments” expressed by him. “I pray that the Almighty may bless you with long life, good health and prosperity and success in all your activities,” she said.In her letter to Maneka Gandhi, Jayalalithaa said she was especially moved by the fact that despite her busy schedule as Union minister of women and child development, Maneka found the time to send the “heart-warming missive”.
Reacting to Maneka’s letter to Jayalalithaa expressing hope that the AIADMK chief would return as chief minister soon, BJP’s national general secretary Muralidhar Rao said it should not be construed as “a policy statement of the party or a letter trying to influence the court of justice”. He said: “BJP had said after Jayalalithaa’s conviction by a special court that her continuation as CM was untenable in the light of that”.
Replying to questions on Maneka’s letter at a time when BJP was making efforts to provide an alternative to the AIADMK-DMK politics in Tamil Nadu, he said: “Our opposition to the AIADMK government under the leadership of Jayalalithaa is in no way diluted.” Maneka might have thought at an individual level that Jayalalithaa is innocent but that goes for everybody unless guilt is proved, he said.
In her letter to Rajinikanth, Jayalalithaa said, “I was happy to receive your letter of October 19, and I thank you for the kind and gracious sentiments expressed therein… Please convey my best wishes to all the members of your family.” Rajinikanth had written to her saying he was glad to see her back in Poes Garden, where he also stays. “Praying for good times for you. Always wishing you well for good health and peace,” Rajinikanth had said in the letter and extended his Diwali wishes to her.
Jayalalithaa told Maneka, “Your letter of October 7 touched me deeply... I thank you for your thoughtfulness and pray that the Almighty may bless you and your family with all that is good.” She added: “I am sure this time will be over soon and we will see you back at the helm of administration again.”